Scottish PEN is a centre of PEN International and not-for-profit organisation that champions freedom of expression and literature across borders.

We are a membership organisation and work with a range of writers, campaigners, activists and communities across Scotland and around the world.

Find out more about us.

All members of Scottish PEN subscribe to the PEN Charter.

Latest from our blog

Latest writing

Featured Member's Writing

Joan Lingard

After You’ve Gone

When Willa’s handsome sailor-husband Tommy sets off on an exotic round-the-world tour with the Royal Navy she is left behind in a small Edinburgh flat with a baby and a controlling mother-in-law. Her only escape is through reading books and it is at the local library that she meets Richard Fitzwilliam, whose friendship gradually begins to open up new horizons. A new life is being offered to her. But can she take it when Tommy’s steady progress around the world will eventually bring him home?

Our books

Book cover design

Magazine

PENning, the Writers in Exile Committee’s biannual online journal, presents work by Scottish PEN’s member-writers alongside writing from people living in Scotland who are from other parts of the world.

PROJECTS

COMMITTEES